SAN ANTONIO – Members of the Trinity University men's basketball team have been selected to represent Team USA in competition at the 2023 FIBA 3x3 U21 Nations League Asia-Pacific Conference from June 23-29 in Handan, China.

The Tiger contingent of six players and Head Men's Basketball Coach Jimmy Smith will represent Team USA in six three-game tournaments over a span of seven days. Both the men's and women's teams were selected by respective USA Basketball 3x3 National Team committees.

Trinity previously provided four of its team members as a USA Basketball 3x3 Select team, helping to train the US Women's 3x3 Team that went on to win the gold medal at the 2020 Olympics that were held in Tokyo in July of 2021. Since then, the relationship between Trinity and USA Basketball has continued to grow, leading to the Tiger team representing its country at the upcoming events.

"We had the amazing opportunity to essentially act as a scout team for the US Women's 3x3 team a couple of years ago, and since then, I have gotten to know some of the awesome leadership within USA Basketball through continued involvement with the 3x3 game," said Coach Smith. "I know that our guys have done a great job representing themselves and Trinity Basketball both on and off the court over the last couple of years, and I believe that is what ultimately led to us being asked to represent the USA in the U21 Nations League."

The six Trinity players who will make up the team are junior Braxton Barry (Houston, Texas / Westbury Christian), first-year Christian Green (San Antonio, Texas / Veterans Memorial), junior Jacob Harvey (Huffman, Texas / Hargrave), senior Grayson Herr (Farmington, Conn. / Farmington), junior Jacob Millhouse (Plano, Texas / Independence), and senior Abdullah Roberts (Houston, Texas / Homeschool Christian Youth Association).

"Playing in this tournament means a lot to me," said Harvey, who earned Second Team All-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference honors this season and led the team in three-point shooting. "After having been a part of the Women's World Cup training camp and watching both the men and women kill it this year, I am incredibly excited to compete and represent the country."

"I am beyond excited to be a part of such an amazing opportunity," said Herr, who played in 21 games for the Tigers this past season. "Not only do I get to play basketball for our country, but I get to do it with my brothers—which makes it even more special. I am going to try to be as present as I can and soak it all in, despite the magnitude of the event."

"It's an honor to represent my family, Trinity University, and the U.S.—especially on a big stage," said Millhouse. He was third on the team in assists and played in all 27 of the team's games in 2022-23. "It's easily the biggest tournament I've ever played in, and I'm excited to show the world what Trinity can do."

"Playing in this tournament is everything to me," said Barry, who led Trinity in blocked shots and was second in rebounding this past year. "The opportunity that I was given to be a part of such a large event is once-in-a-lifetime and something I will never forget."

"I am extremely excited to be able to play for Team USA," said Roberts, who was named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team. "This is an opportunity I dreamed of having as a kid, and I am very grateful to be going to Trinity where I can have opportunities like this."

"Being given the opportunity to represent myself, my family, school, and country on an international stage means a lot," said Green, who comes to Trinity after a successful high school career that saw him ranked as a Top 35 player in the state by Texas Basketball Review. "I don't know anyone else that has been given this opportunity, so to be able to be there and say, 'Look what I've overcome and now what I'm about to experience,' makes me proud."

While the USA Men's Nations League Team is composed completely of Trinity Tigers, the Women's Nations League team is made up of NCAA Division I athletes, including Mara Braun (Minnesota), Christina Dalce (Villanova), Jillian Hollingstead (Tennessee), Morgan Maly (Creighton), Lucy Olsen (Villanova) and Shyanne Sellers (Maryland). 

The USA 3x3 Men's and Women's Nations League Teams will attend training camp in Miami Lakes, Florida, June 17-19, prior to leaving for China. Each team will be competing in one of 13 conference events held worldwide, with the winning teams qualifying for the FIBA 3x3 U23 Nations League Final, which is held September 13-15 in Mongolia.

The 2023 3x3 U21 Nations League will stream live on YouTube at www.youtube.com/fiba3x3.

Different from 5-on-5, 3x3 is played on a half-court with a 10-minute game clock and 12-second shot clock. Play is continuous, as teams "clear" the ball behind the 2-point line following a made basket, defensive rebound or steal. The first team to score 21 points via 1-point field goals or 2-pointers behind the arc is victorious; or if time expires then the team leading wins.

"I don't think anything can be more unique than a true international competition," continued Coach Smith. "Very few people get to compete with 'USA' across their chest, and it is such an honor to be able to represent our country. It's something that we take very seriously. I have no doubt that we will represent Team USA and Trinity University in a way that we can all be proud of."